About ten minutes ago, I had a short WhatsApp exchange with a friend where we mentioned a fishing YouTube channel. Now, when I opened YouTube, the second recommended video was from that exact channel.
How the fuck did that happen?
The last time I watched any of this guy’s videos was probably years ago. If my friend hadn’t sent me a clip of an arapaima being chased by the channel’s owner somewhere in Ecuador, I’d have completely forgotten about it.
So, what’s going on here?
Is YouTube talking to WhatsApp, or are all these apps tracking me like there’s no tomorrow? It’s creepy as hell, but knowing how desperate corporations and Big Brother are for our data, I can’t say I’m surprised.
Do people even realize the mess we’re in with modern technology and the digital footprints we’re leaving behind? I feel like most of the masses are still clueless, but the chains are tightening around us every day.
A few days ago, a friend told me about buying a new house and how his bank demanded to know the source of every deposit he made. Anything over $10,000 got scrutinized like he was some kind of criminal.
Another friend in Austria said that if he wants to play at the casino, he has to log in with his fingerprint. Those records are then shared with banks, and if he applies for a loan, the bank might deny it based on that activity.
Tell me that doesn’t sound like something out of China, where privacy is practically non-existent. Cameras everywhere, constant online surveillance—it’s insane how fucked up things have gotten. And it feels like we’re only just beginning.
Even the crypto.com app annoys me. Every time I want to deposit USDT, it makes me confirm that the wallet belongs to me. Privacy? What privacy? It’s like we’ve just accepted these intrusions as normal.
Sometimes I feel like giving up smartphones and all these apps that collect and store my personal data. But then again, without them, I’d probably be stuck in some shitty job I hate. To be fair, I’ve never had a job I actually liked, so there’s that.
The internet is both a blessing and a curse. It’s an incredible tool, but when it comes to privacy, it’s downright disgusting at times.
Thanks for your attention,
Adrian